Privacy
Meta is launching "Incognito Chat" for private AI conversations on WhatsApp
Meta Platforms is rolling out a new "Incognito Chat" feature for its artificial intelligence assistant on WhatsApp messaging service, the company said on Wednesday, as it looks to address data privacy concerns.
Read more about Meta is launching "Incognito Chat" for private AI conversations on WhatsApp
UK fines suicide forum £950,000 and threatens block over content linked to 130 deaths
Britain's communications regulator has fined the provider of an online suicide forum $1.28 million, the largest penalty against such a platform under the country's online safety laws, for hosting illegal content accessible in the UK.
Read more about UK fines suicide forum £950,000 and threatens block over content linked to 130 deaths
Spain defies Big Tech lobbying and Musk's attacks with planned AI and social media crackdown
Spain will push ahead with new rules to make social networks and AI safer despite intense lobbying from the tech industry, its digital transformation minister Oscar Lopez told Reuters.
Read more about Spain defies Big Tech lobbying and Musk's attacks with planned AI and social media crackdown
Android and iPhone users can now send encrypted messages to each other
Apple and Google have finally agreed on end-to-end encryption for cross-platform messaging in a privacy breakthrough meant to replace traditional SMS.
Read more about Android and iPhone users can now send encrypted messages to each other
Texas sues Netflix for addictive design as von der Leyen says EU won't accept "endless scrolling"
Netflix was sued on Monday by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for using addictive design features, such as autoplay, to keep users watching while secretly collecting and selling their data. The same day, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vowed that the EU won’t accept such practices from tech giants.
Read more about Texas sues Netflix for addictive design as von der Leyen says EU won't accept "endless scrolling"
“When you watch Netflix, Netflix watches you:” Texas sues streaming giant for spying on kids
The State of Texas filed a lawsuit against Netflix on Monday, accusing the streaming giant of spying on children and adult consumers – and illegally collecting their data without knowledge or consent.
Read more about “When you watch Netflix, Netflix watches you:” Texas sues streaming giant for spying on kids
Only approved phones can pass Google’s new reCAPTCHA, locking out privacy-focused alternatives
Verify you’re human – by owning an approved Android or an iPhone. Google’s new reCAPTCHA system forces users to scan a QR code with a “compatible mobile device” and locks out anyone using a privacy-focused OS and device, warns GrapheneOS, a security-hardened OS alternative.
Read more about Only approved phones can pass Google’s new reCAPTCHA, locking out privacy-focused alternatives
Uber hid drivers’ data rights, Dutch watchdog rules, stands by €10M penalty
The Dutch privacy and data protection authority (DPA) has ruled that Uber’s appeal against a €10 million fine is unfounded.
Read more about Uber hid drivers’ data rights, Dutch watchdog rules, stands by €10M penalty
Apple and Meta warn Canadian bill could weaken private messaging protections for users
Apple and Meta have publicly opposed a Canadian bill that the companies say could require them to break the encryption of their devices and services if passed.
Read more about Apple and Meta warn Canadian bill could weaken private messaging protections for users
Dutch government moves ahead with national ID system despite US tech takeover fears
The District Court of The Hague has dismissed the claims of three citizens seeking to prevent the Dutch government from renewing its contract with Solvinity. But there’s still a sliver of hope for opponents.
Read more about Dutch government moves ahead with national ID system despite US tech takeover fears
Kremlin’s war on VPNs continues as regulator aims to block 92% of VPN services by 2030
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communication regulator, intends to block nearly all VPN servers operating within the country by 2030.
Read more about Kremlin’s war on VPNs continues as regulator aims to block 92% of VPN services by 2030
An important Instagram update rolling out today: here's what you need to know
Starting today, direct messages on Instagram will no longer be end-to-end encrypted. Anyone who wants to keep messaging with end-to-end encryption has to switch to an alternate messaging app, such as WhatsApp or Messenger.
Read more about An important Instagram update rolling out today: here's what you need to know
Meta asks court to overturn landmark verdict linking social media to woman’s depression
Meta Platforms has asked a Los Angeles judge to throw out a jury’s verdict finding the company liable for a woman’s depression in a landmark trial over whether the company has harmed young users by designing its platforms to be addictive.
Read more about Meta asks court to overturn landmark verdict linking social media to woman’s depression
Could online age checks reshape the internet? Privacy groups warn the UK is risking digital freedoms
The openness of the internet and the opportunities it provides are at peril in the United Kingdom. Policy interventions, such as bans on access to social media platforms or VPN services, hardly improve the online experience of young people but instead undermine the open internet and infringe on human rights.
Read more about Could online age checks reshape the internet? Privacy groups warn the UK is risking digital freedoms
Nearly half of young Europeans turn to AI for mental health support, experts urge caution
According to a new study, a growing number of young Europeans are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) tools for mental health issues. Experts say this isn’t without risks for their well-being and privacy.
Read more about Nearly half of young Europeans turn to AI for mental health support, experts urge caution
Dutch citizens are suing to stop the US from taking over their national ID system
Three citizens have filed summary proceedings against their government to block a US company, Kyndryl, from buying Solvinity. The purchase would greenlight the American company’s control over DigiD – the Netherlands' national digital identity system used by over 16 million people.
Read more about Dutch citizens are suing to stop the US from taking over their national ID system
Europol built “shadow IT database” under terror pressure, then lost control
A new investigation has revealed that the EU’s police agency created an emergency data system to fight terrorism, but it gradually evolved into a vast, insecure “shadow database” holding sensitive information on millions of people, many of whom were not linked to any crimes at all.
Read more about Europol built “shadow IT database” under terror pressure, then lost control
British kids using fake mustaches, IDs, and VPNs to bypass online age checks, study finds
The UK Online Safety Act (OSA) is supposed to protect children online. Now, kids are using VPNs, fabricating data, using someone else’s IDs, or even drawing on fake mustaches to bypass age verification on various platforms. Still, most families welcome the change and see improvements, a study suggests.
Read more about British kids using fake mustaches, IDs, and VPNs to bypass online age checks, study finds
German regulator sits on hands as facial recognition tool PimEyes amasses billions of faces
The Austrian privacy advocacy group noyb has launched legal action against Hamburg’s data protection authority (DPA), arguing that the regulator fails to enforce European privacy laws against PimEyes’s controversial facial recognition services.
Read more about German regulator sits on hands as facial recognition tool PimEyes amasses billions of faces
Tens of thousands of screenshots linked to European celebrity exposed in spyware breach
A security researcher discovered a non-password-protected, publicly accessible database containing almost 90,000 images, showing a celebrity’s private messages, photos, and phone usage. Breach appears to be linked to a now defunct spyware app.
Read more about Tens of thousands of screenshots linked to European celebrity exposed in spyware breach
